CCG Book Club -Series 1
I am uber excited to introduce a new series on the CCG blog! On New Year’s Eve, one of the many resolutions or promises I made to myself for the coming year was to read more books. Read ahead to see why I am adding more books into my life and how to join in.
I can remember the exact moment where it dawned on me. I was watching Real Housewives of New Jersey and Neil walked into our bedroom with an immediate over exaggerated eye roll and some sort of man growl. “Why do you watch these shows?”, he said as he plopped his body onto his side of the bed. Neil can’t stand most of these reality shows. He will on occasion watch RHNY, RHBH or Bachelor. (No, he didn’t like Arie and don’t tell him I told ya!) Anything that involves excessive crying or cat fights, Neil is quick to change the channel or complain until I do. Let’s face it, at the end of the day, after a day full of cooking, crying, messes, cleaning, getting four kids to bed and anything else a Mom must cater to, I like to watch the occasional show where my brain isn’t needed to work. Does that make sense to anyone out there? That night, I came to the realization, that maybe I should spend more time reading and less time watching T.V.
Don’t get me wrong, I have always loved to read. It’s something I had a voracious appetite for as a kid and it did follow through into adulthood. However, as the years went by, children being born and a business to tend to, I just didn’t seem to have the “me time” to read. Most days, I don’t even get a shower without one or more children whining at the glass door as I take three minutes to myself. Since my surgery, Neil and I have made an effort to do more “us” time, but why haven’t I done anything about needing more “me” time? This is when the CCG Book Club was born.
So, I took a trip to the store and began my pursuit to find the perfect book to kick this series off. I ended up leaving with not just one book, but four and I am so over the moon for the first of many selections I make. I hope you enjoy reading along with me and checking in to talk about each book as well.
The first book is “The Lying Game” written by Ruth Ware. Not only is she a New York Times bestseller, but this book was also featured in multiple magazines with a variety of amazing reviews. This latest mystery, by Ruth Ware, is an all- consuming, riveting tale, full of mind games and edgy suspense. This novel is about four women who have been carrying a terrible secret since their school days, a secret that is about to be literally unearthed. Isa, Kate, Thea and Fatima all attended the same seaside boarding school. While there, they played what they called The Lying Game. They lied to everyone but adhered to the one rule they laid down – never lie to each other. Their game and time together abruptly comes to an end when something tragic occurs and the girls are expelled and separated. After years and moving on without each other, a simple text was sent, “I need you”.
Are you ready to get reading?! I started chapter one last night and I am hooked! I have linked this book below (click the picture) so you can purchase it and have it shipped for free with two day shipping. Let’s begin reading this together and have a weekly discussion regarding the ins and outs of each chapter. Are you in the Bay Area and interested in meeting once a month for a book club meeting? Well, that is in the works! Please email subscribe to get the details on all of that information as it comes out and join the interest list for our monthly book club meeting!
Happy reading!
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April
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Getting the table #christmasready Have to wake up early for my MRI and then hit the grocery store for some odds and ends. Then wrap all the Santa presents for 4 kids. 🥴🤣 Wish me luck. 🙈
“Keep the change ya filthy animal” This Home Alone sweater/hat set is a staple come #holidaytime
Comment KEVIN below to receive a DM with the link to shop this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/50D6k #ltkseasonal #ltkholiday #ltksalealert #sweaterweather #uglysweater #kevinmcallister #homealone
SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! This was a big hit last year so I wanted to share it again! These brie and cranberry puff pastry bites are SO EASY to make and a crowd pleaser for that Holiday gathering.
•mini muffin pan
•store bought puff pastry
•brie cheese
•cranberry sauce
•fresh rosemary
Preheat your oven to 425. Do not put these in until your oven is preheated! Place squares of puff pastry into the muffin pan, followed by cubes of brie cheese and a scoop of cranberry sauce. Bake for 10 min and add rosemary sprigs for garnish. It’s that easy!!! #easyrecipes #holidayrecipes
Brrrr it’s a cold one today! #holidayoutfit
Comment FAIRISLE below for the info to shop this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/4ZWKS #ltkholiday #ltkfindsunder50 #ltkseasonal #holidaysweater
SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! Super easy and fun to make with the kids, these Puff Pastry and Nutella Gingerbread men are the perfect easy holiday treat!
•1 pack of store bought puff pastry
•Nutella
•powdered sugar
Preheat the oven to 400. Roll out the puff pastry, spread a thin later of Nutella and add the second piece on top. Don’t forget to use the rolling pin to thin out the puff pastry. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the shapes and bake for 15 min. Sprinkle powdered sugar to the top.
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SAVE AND SHARE THIS HOLIDAY RECIPE! I’m sharing this one again because it was a hit last year! My Fig and Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Bites are the PERFECT appetizer.
•puff pastry cut into squares
•fig jam
•goat cheese (cream cheese if you aren’t a goat cheese fan)
•walnut pieces
•mini muffin pan
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin tin with non stick spray and place one puff pastry square in each muffin area and push down. Add a teaspoon of goat cheese and add the fig jam on top. Sprinkle walnut prices on top and place in the oven for 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy!!! Happy Holidays! #appetizerideas #holidayrecipes
My FAVORITE Holiday sweaters and flannel dresses are 25% off today 🙌🏻 #holidayoutfit
Comment SWEATER below to receive a DM with the link to shop this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/4Z1Ve #ltkcyberweek #ltkholiday #ltksalealert #sweaterweather
SAVE THIS RECIPE POST! It’s another #puffpastry #recipe for the win 🙌🏻 Check out this SUPER EASY appetizer that’s perfect for Holiday party or football game coming up! You really only need TWO INGREDIENTS!
•Preheat oven to 400 (this will bake 12-15 min)
•Puff pastry
•pesto (I love the Costco pesto!)
•egg for egg wash over the twists
Make sure to put a good amount of pesto on the puff pastry. Twist and put on a non stick pan. Brush egg over the top to give it that golden color and bake for 12-15 min. Serve with marinara sauce and voilè you have yourself a crowd pleasing #holidayappetizers Enjoy! #holidayrecipes
Having a plaid moment! #holidayoutfit
Comment PLAID below to receive a DM with the link to shop this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/4YjUe #ltksalealert #ltkparties #ltkholiday #tartan
#ad I just LOVE the Holidays! #GladePartner Not only do I go to town decorating the home, I also want it smelling amazing too! I stocked up on my favorite @glade products from Sam’s Club 🙌🏻 This year I snagged the Glade Limited Edition Automatic Spray Holiday Variety Pack! It comes with three scents: Twinkling Pine & Cedar, Sparkling Pear and First Frost. You’ll have your house smelling like the holidays in no time! Make sure to pick up this variety pack, available exclusively at Sam’s Club!
Comment DRESS for the info! Love a good #fitandflare and this flannel one is a must! I have this dress in 8 different patterns and I LOVE THEM ALL. Plus, it has pockets! #thanksgivingoutfit
Comment DRESS below to receive a DM with the link to shop this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/4XEr3 #ltkholiday #ltkseasonal #flannel #flanneldress
SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! This festive #holidayappetizers is soooooo easy to make and so cute too! Take your Holiday party to the next level with this simple and fun brie recipe!
•store bought frozen roll dough (thaw and let rise for 3 hours)
•8 oz of brie
•1/2 stick of melted butter
•1 tsp minced garlic
•1 tbsp Italian seasoning
•fresh rosemary sprigs
•fresh cranberries
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. On a piece to parchment paper and a cookie sheet, set your brie in the middle. Place the roll dough balls around your brie. Slather the rolls and Brie in the melted butter (mixed with the minced garlic). Sprinkle seasoning on top and bake for approx. 20 min. Add rose mark and cranberries as garnish once out to the oven. This is such a crowd pleaser and quick to make. We’ve also used fresh dough made by my hubby (he’s the bread baker 🤣) and that works amazing too! Let me know how you like it! Enjoy! #recipereel #holidayrecipes
You guys….it actually rained here today! And it’s cold! I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR. It doesn’t exasperate my #potssyndrome 🙌🏻 Today, all 4 kids were home from school and we all played Fortnite together with our neighbors. I love days like today. I didn’t run errands, I didn’t clean anything. It’s been marvelous! Tomorrow will be back to business with family photo session editing, brand jobs and getting my ballet school ready for next months shows. But today, today, I did nothing. 🤣 #mondaymood
SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! This one’s a MUST TRY! I love pumpkin, I love puff pastry and I love me some cheese!
•one package store bought puff pastry
•mini brie
•pumpkin butter
•egg for egg wash
•cooking twine
•cinnamon sticks
Preheat oven to 375. These will bake for approximately 20-25 minutes. Cut #puffpastry into 10 equal squares, scoop a teaspoon of pumpkin butter on the puff pastry and add a mini brie on top. Close up the dough and use cooking twine to secure it. I tie it around 3-4 times. Brush egg wash over them and bake them for 20-25 min. Use cinnamon sticks for a stem! I have also used cream cheese and goat cheese instead of the Brie! Enjoy! #holidayappetizers #recipereel
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(*vs previous formula)
#happyhalloween from #freddiemercury and #edwardscissorhands Nicky’s chest hair is my favorite part. 🤣 #halloween2024
Comment JACKET and I’ll send you the details via DM to shop! I have this utility jacket in two colors. Such a great lightweight staple for #Fall 🙌🏻 #fallfashion #falljacket
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SAVE AND SHARE THIS RECIPE! Super easy and oh soooo good! These #pumpkinpie granola bites store perfectly in the fridge for an easy snack or treat! My kids LOVE them!
•3 cups quick oats
•3/4 cup pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
•3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
•1/2 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
•1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
•3/4 cup Grade A pure maple syrup
In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Using your hands, firmly roll balls together. Then, put them in the refrigerator for 30 min to set. I’m telling you these are AMAZING. Try them and let me know! #recipereels #easyrecipes
SO happy it’s not 100 degrees this week and we’re actually having cooler mornings. It’s Finally Fall! #sweaterweather
Megan| 11th Mar 18
This book looks like a very good read thanks so much for the recommendation
Nicole| 11th Mar 18
I am a reality junkie! The more mindless the better! But this is a great idea! I love Emily giffin books too!
April | 11th Mar 18
It’s actually by Ruth Ware 😉
Reginald Page| 11th Mar 18
Ruth Ware who is a New York Times bestseller, is one of those creative authors that I so much admire their creativity when put in writing.
This particular book titled The Lying Game is indeed going to be great buy and I think I will have to order mine soonest
Aiai| 11th Mar 18
Thanks for this recommendation, another book to be put on my book shelve 🙂 🙂
Neil Alvin Nicerio | 11th Mar 18
Great selection of books. 🙂
oursamyatra| 12th Mar 18
We love to read books. Thanks for nice review. We will surely read the book.
Renee| 12th Mar 18
I really enjoyed this book, and her other book The Woman in Cabin 10. But her first book, In a Dark Dark Wood, was my absolute favorite. Very talented writer!
Nisha| 12th Mar 18
Wow that’s a very cool story to start with! Will surely read this one in the future for sure 🙂
Ivonne | 12th Mar 18
Excellent book review. I love a book that grabs you in the first chapter and keeps you excitedly reading.
Devon| 12th Mar 18
Love this! I’ll have to add this book to my list
Nidhi Thawal| 12th Mar 18
Oh, this instantly excites the bibliophile in me! Will try to add this to my bookshelf asap! 🙂
Thenia| 12th Mar 18
This looks like a great book! I want to read it!!
Neha Rai| 12th Mar 18
Great suggestion for readers!!
Vinay Rai| 12th Mar 18
Good book.
Sonya Ali| 12th Mar 18
Definitely a book to get my hands on asap. By the way I love your blog!
Shannon| 12th Mar 18
I’m always looking for more books to add to my collection! Will def check this one out! xx Shannon || http://www.champagneatshannons.com
Monika| 12th Mar 18
I need to read that one! I’ve heard so many things. I am currently reading The Handmaid’s Tale.
Josh| 12th Mar 18
Im gonna add this in my list. This sounds interesting to read!!
Michelle Ng| 12th Mar 18
Thanks for recommending this book! I’ve been looking for a good book to read!
Grandma Evelyn | 12th Mar 18
Suggest you read ‘Secrect life of bees’. I really enjoyed it.
April | 13th Mar 18
Will do! I have heard that book is good!
Cristina| 13th Mar 18
Thanks for the recommendation! This year my goal is to get back into reading. I’ve already read 2 books and about to start another. I’ll have to add this one to my list 🙂